Dorset Freemason fighting Covid-19 in the North Sea

Dorset Freemason Wayne Ingram is currently detached from his job as an NHS Paramedic to assist with North Sea Repatriations to the United Kingdom. Although his family home is situated on the lovely Isle of Portland, a stones throw away from sitting in the chair as Senior Warden of United Service Lodge No. 3473, he couldn't resist the call to relocate to Aberdeen Airport when asked if he would use his paramedic qualification throughout the Coronavirus Pandemic

Hence, Wayne has found himself in Aberdeen as a designated helicopter medic with his task to repatriate Covid-19 patients from their places of work on the North Sea, back to mainland Britain.

Wayne said: 'Every oil rig has its own medic and it’s their decision if external medical assistance is required, especially when dealing with the Covid-19. When help is requested a flurry of activity commences in the control room at Aberdeen, pilots plotting their routes over land and the North Sea, while I communicate directly with the offshore medic, ascertaining the status of the patient.

'Submersion suits zipped up, life jackets applied, oxygen and medical equipment checked within the aircraft. Then they head out over the sea to arrive at a tiny speck of metal many miles away.

'For me the hardest part of the job is trying to communicate with patients whilst wearing full PPE. The little smile or wink previously given is often missed through mask and goggles. However, I love seeing the relief on their faces when we land and observing our beautiful countryside from a thousand feet in the air. It’s rewarding to see the British public coming together in a time of need, visiting their neighbours, looking out for one another, raising funds for those in need and inwardly knowing as a Freemason those actions have been part of our fraternity for many, many years.'

Graham Glazier, Provincial Grand Master for Dorset, said: 'We are immensley proud of Wayne and profoundly grateful to him and all the heroes in our emergency services and key workers for caring for us during this pandemic.'